Thomas Pendleton Burwell

Thomas Pendleton Burwell Thomas Pendleton Burwell, 71, of Spartanburg, SC died peacefully Friday, April 16, 2021 at his home. Born September 16, 1949, in Spartanburg, he was the son of the late Jack Oliver Burwell, Sr and Verle Thomas Burwell. He was a graduate of the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind. He received his bachelor’s degree from Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. After graduating from college, he worked for the United States Postal Service in the northeast. He returned to Spartanburg and worked for many years at Bell Music Machine Corporation. He was an avid enthusiast of sports and spent many years helping organize amateur sports league activities for the deaf both locally and across the southeast. He was an active member of the Southeast Athletic Association of the Deaf (SEAAD), serving as Secretary/Treasurer from 1996-2001. He entered the SEAAD Hall of Fame in 2009. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Anita and Andrew Connaker of Columbia SC , two granddaughters Addison and Abigail Connaker of Columbia SC; sister Judy B Martin of Spartanburg, SC, brothers Jack Oliver Burwell Jr (Margaret) of Mt Pleasant SC, Timothy H Burwell (Lisa) of Boone, NC and Jonathan D Burwell of Spartanburg. He is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 19, 2021, at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind Foundation, 355 Cedar Springs Road, Spartanburg SC 29302; Bethel United Methodist Church, 245 S. Church St, Spartanburg, SC 29306 or a charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.jmdunbar.com Dunbar Funeral Home & Crematory